Christ expiant sur la croix 1695

Hyacinthe Rigaud, a French painter, rendered 'Christ expiant sur la croix' with oil paint, likely sometime between the late 17th and early 18th centuries. Oil paint’s viscous nature allows for layering, creating a rich surface and dramatic contrasts of light and shadow. This technique, known as chiaroscuro, imbues the scene with a palpable sense of suffering. The painting itself can be seen as a manufactured object. Rigaud would have relied on the labor of others to prepare his canvas, grind his pigments, and perhaps even assist in the application of paint. The social context of the artwork reflects the cultural dominance of the Catholic Church and its influence on artistic production. The detailed depiction of Christ’s body required a deep understanding of anatomy and the human form, which Rigaud would have gained through rigorous training and practice. This combination of skilled craftsmanship and religious subject matter blurs the line between fine art and devotional object.